Database Users

[Q] First time Tablet/Android buyer.

Hello all,
I just ordered a new Note 10.1 from Costco.com (32 gig) and from reading reviews and such I was thrown into the world of rooting. For my job, we were given iPhones so I've really only had an iPhone and am used to the iOS. Not a fan. Have always wanted to try Android but have never been thrown into it.
Are there any good guides out there to help me better understand rooting, etc.? I understand that you have to unlock it, then flash a custom ROM. What happens when the newer version of that ROM comes out? Do you lose all of your Data? Can any mod be installed on any ROM? I just don't have a good understanding of how or what to do. Granted, I don't even have the tablet yet, however, I don't want to be completely lost when I get it. I do like the idea of rooting, given that you can install powerful apps that are only offered to rooted tablets.
This is my first post here and am hoping for some helpful responses of maybe some threads that I should read to help me understand things better.
Also, where do you find custom ROMS? Is there a certain section you have to go? Or are all the custom ROMS under the ANDROID DEVELOPMENT forum?
Thanks for the help.

Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!

wd4oay said:
Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.

A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.

just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw

midas69 said:
A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know. Thank you.
jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?

I read in sammobile that samsung will launch Note 8.0, it is true?
What do you think?

rooting
deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's more reasons to root other than just flashing custom ROMs. As a matter of fact, you really don't even have to root to install a custom ROM, you just need a custom recovery installed.
Personally I'm fine with the stock ROM on this tablet even though I run custom ROMs on my phones. I did have a custom ROM installed for a few weeks that was little more than the stock ROM with a few tweaks. It didn't lose any functionality with regards to multi-screen or pen. But some of the other more customized ROMs do lose functionality.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??

deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it leaves the firmware as is and it simply gives you root access, i.e. administrative control over just about all processes that the tablet is capable of. It also allows you to flash custom ROMS. that method, along with the exynos exploit method ( not possible on 4.1.2), leave you as close to stock as possible . and leaves the official recovery. Someone will undoubtedly correct me if I am wrong, but so long as you don't flash a custom ROM, I believe you can still update through OTA. I know you can through KIES. If you do go with a custom ROM, I'm pretty sure you lose all the touch wiz goodies, like multi screen as another noted above. and likely would have to use ODIN or mobile ODIN to update.

deeselcyde said:
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom apps such as multi window manager. Custom roms if you wish. Overclock cpu with tegrak on stock rooted, it does sometimes come in handy to be safely overclocked. personally this tablet is so good off the shelf you dont NEED a custom rom but that overclock is good. Ability to access and change root files such as dolphin preference in order to make it work with flash player. More reliable backups of apps and data with titanium backup. There are a plethera of reasons for rooting a tablet. But do be cautious.

Don't forget you need root for AdAway. You also need root if you want to play around (very dangerous) with the build.prop file to try to install programs that the Play Store says aren't compatible.

deeselcyde said:
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3d cube things I think your talking about are scroll effects, like cube, sphere or card stack. You dont need to be rooted for these, you can just download a launcher (nova, apex, adw) from the play store and change the effects in there.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app

jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question about that link. So once I follow the instructions provided in the link to root my Note 10.1, will I still have the custom ROM? And, will I be able to auto update from Samsung or whoever whenever a new version of the Android ROM comes out? I don't necessarily care about having someones custom ROM, I just want the benefits of using the GAPPS that I wouldn't be able to use if I wasn't rooted.
Thanks.

Rooted 4.2.2 MDL wanting to get OTA 4.3

I am on 4.2.2 MDL and have read over these forums alot to look for my issue but i have not come across exactly what to do.
I want to get the latest OTA which is 4.3
I have the OTA for MF3 I think it is? Its the one that locked the bootloader down tight and no one wants, since no Custom ROMs
I do not want any custom roms like CWM (although I loved it on older phones) I don't want to lose the functionality I bought this phone for.
When i tried to OTA to the locked bootloader version it fails at 32% or so.
The Phone is rooted.. and busybox installed. I mostly use this just for Titanium backup my apps.
So here is my question.
I want to get to the latest version available.
I have attached a screenshot of my about, if there is any other information required i'll be happy to provide!

Please don't upgrade and loose your MDL firmware, you'll regret it. You have many options for great TW roms, like GoldenEye that will offer a much better 4.3 experience versus the AT&T stock 4.3. Your bootloader was NEVER unlocked. The MDL firmware just allowed us to use Loki, which was an easy way around it. AT&T patched this with MF3 firmware in July. They do have safestrap for MF3, but its not CWM.
What exactly can't your phone do with MDL firmware and a custom rom? I don't get that? If you upgrade OTA, you will have Samsung's new knox crap, which if you ever do anything to your phone, it will set it to 0x1 and void your warranty.

I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.

Cronus89 said:
I was reading you lose the Motions and Gestures with custom ROMS, I know CWM does not support that.
I do like that feature and I do use them on my S4.
I wanted to get to 4.3 to support the Galaxy Gear eventually.
Among I also do enjoy being uptodate
I understand completely how most of you hardcore modders and rom guys love your roms.
There were only slightly features in CWM I loved, which I can live without. But to completely knock out some of the biggest features of the S4 (the motions and gestures etc) Seems a waste of even buying this device in the first place.
Sure it has great hardware and alot would argue that.. but you can buy other devices with awesome hardware.
If you can point me to a custom rom for 4.3 (that will have the full support for galaxy gear) and it will support motions and gestures and lose 0 functionality I currently have, That'd be great. But I did not see that anywhere yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure if GoldenEye supports the Galaxy Gear, but try out that rom out first. It's based entirely off the Internation S4's 4.3 firmware and it offers a lot more. Its optimized for AT&T, and includes all the motions and gestures. You loose the motions and gestures with a non Touch-Wiz rom, like AOKP for example. But that's whats so great about custom roms. When you get bored of touch-wiz, you can flash a pure google experience and vice versa.
Maybe this is just me, but in the beginning, before we had custom recovery for MDL, I found the AT&T stock experience to be absolutely awful. By far the worst Samsung stock experience I have ever had. I also can't stand how low Samsung puts the headphone volume, along with those annoying volume nags.
Try GoldenEye out and see how you like it. If you don't, then upgrade.

I've always loved Samsungs TouchWiz, they have been my favorite UI, Galaxy S is the best imo.
Can you link me to the official Goldeneye and everything I need?
I'd appreciate that alot.
I use Titanium Backup, so app restore shouldn't be a problem and I've done it before so im ok with trying it out.
If there is any tips or tricks with restoring your apps and data switching ROMs, i'd appreciate that bit of info too.
Always feared to post on these forums since alot of people in the past get angry and talk mean to people that don't know the whole book on this

You really need to search and read up on a lot if you are unfamiliar with rooting and flashing custom roms. If you don't know what you are doing, then you WILL brick your device. If you brick your device to the point where you cannot fix it, you are SOL. Samsung will know you modified the software and your warranty will be void.
But you should start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297033
This tool will do it all for you. You must be on MDL firmware for this to work. Once you run that program, you'll have CWM (Auto Loki'd). Then follow the directions in the rom's OP.
GoldenEye (Based on Samsung's International 4.3 stock)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313469
Or if you want the AT&T 4.3 stock rom, iB4StiD also has a rom for that, MDOB
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2280556
Either way, you have A LOT of reading to do. I was once new and a complete air head on how to root, flash roms, and what not. The people on this site can be ignorant jerks who don't like noobs, like yourself. You are expected to do everything on your own, and no one will hold your hand. I usually don't provide what I did above, but I would hate to see you foolishly upgrade. Once you do, you are stuck. Good Luck.

I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)

Cronus89 said:
I guess I was not clear enough my apologies.
I have flashed custom recovery and roms plenty of times on my older phones.
It did take a bit of reading but once you understand what limitations your device has (what will brick it etc) its not so bad
I just wanted the "proper" links from you so I start off right, I can definately handle it from here.
Quick question when i attempted to update did it somehow maybe give me KNOX?
SuperSU asked me to remove it and i let it, and it was succesful (it might have just deactivated it i cannot recall)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you updated to anything, the links I provided you with will completely BRICK your phone. Your current firmware MUST BE MDL to use the links I gave you. If you are on MF3, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT USE THE LINKS ABOVE.
---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
I am not sure if it gave you KNOX, since the update failed. I doubt it. But I would restore to stock MDL, then use the tool I provided you with.

lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.

Cronus89 said:
lol its ok I know what im doing I know that MDL is required.
Clearly in my screenshot im on MDL... i was asking about KNOX randomly being on my phone since I thought it only came with one of the OTA updates?
I am on MDL and if you double check my screenshot does everything look ok to do the flash?
Again just wanted to double check about the knox thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I see your screen shot. You look good from there. However, I do not know the repercussions your failed update had, if any? I would say you are probably fine. But I am no developer, or expert.
What you need to do is restore your phone to pure MDL stock via odin. Take your SIM card OUT, so that once the phone is restored it doesn't start updating. You'll then enable USB debugging and use the tool I provided you with in the other post. After that, its cake.

Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.

Cronus89 said:
Ah darn... From the oneclick post thats a 1.6GB file lol will take me a couple of hours to download.
But if you insist I will do it. I do believe in starting clean is always a good idea too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are other mirrors for the MDL file, you just have to look. Let me see if I can find one.
Try the one in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2563533
The one I suggest isn't recommended apparently. You can try it, but I don't know. Apparently that site isn't good for stock roms. I don't know.

Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app

Cronus89 said:
Alright im just downloading the one from the oneclick post, it seems to be downloading fine so i will stick with that for now.
So everything will work fine correct? Including the IR Blaster? I do love remote controlling my TV!
I use samsungs watch on app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I can confirm. I am using GoldenEye and love my remote

Did you successfully restore stock MDL and use that tool I provide you with? Hopefully everything went well.

Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol

Cronus89 said:
Yes everything is fine.
That file they had was I think the orginal stock so not MDL but worked fine.
Its been working great, although the Messaging app and Contacts background is completely black.
on the stock S4 it wasnt... i cant for the life of me remember what it looked like, But I have been looking for a way to change it and there doesnt seem to be (I thought it was a phone setting, like light to dark, vice versa)
So far thats the only complaint, pretty big one too, cause i dont like solid black lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so you flashed the ADMB firmware? Yeah, loki works with that too. Buy boy is that firmware terrible. So have you loaded GoldenEye up yet?

Of course, Been loaded since last night

Cronus89 said:
Of course, Been loaded since last night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See??? Wasn't it worth it? Hopefully all your features are there? I also recommending flashing the volume mod he lists.

Sorry for this question but I need to confirm my suspicion...The only way to get custom roms right now is with MDL (actually the one I have). Once you go MF3, MJ6,MJ9 or MK2 there is no way to go back??

[Q] Upgrading ROM etc.

A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...

Journyman16 said:
A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery

rahimali said:
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?

Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root will be required for freezing system apps, not for users apps. Rooting should be fairly simple (hopefully). Install, supersu from the playstore, have data/wi-fi internet connectivity, install towelroot and use that to get root.

Don't let her update it the latest update breaks root. Hopefully she is on kitkat and that is why her phone is performing poorly. Root with towel root then run motoapkakypse.apk to unlock the boot loader. Now honestly there aren't any Roms I'd call a daily driver yet with the kitkat kernel so you'll have to downgrade to the jellybean kernel and install one of the top 3 or 4 Roms... I'm still on stock I found that location services and a few wake locks were the problems and fixed them with an app called app ops
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

"New" comer here, I need some help please

Hey guys, I have been out of the android world for a couple of years, I would appreciate some guidance.
I I'm currently living in US
T-mobil
Model number: SM-G935T
Android version: 6.0.1
Updated right now
So my question is, since I don't have any backup or anything, can someone provide me with the steps to get me started? Like what post to root it on this specific carrier and how everything? please
Thanks

Arturofm2 said:
Hey guys, I have been out of the android world for a couple of years, I would appreciate some guidance.
I I'm currently living in US
T-mobil
Model number: SM-G935T
Android version: 6.0.1
Updated right now
So my question is, since I don't have any backup or anything, can someone provide me with the steps to get me started? Like what post to root it on this specific carrier and how everything? please
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course we can get your started but see
But first you must answer us these question three.
Why do you want root?
Do you have a computer? (This is a must for root.)
Are you ready to be disappointed?

https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/how-to-root-s7-edge-t3410470
follow this (use odin to flash rooted kernel) ......you should search before posting things like this.....google is your friend bro.
GOOD LUCK - BTW use flash fire app in play store to make backups and flash roms

Okay okay.
A quick glance at T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Guides, News, & Discussion would have led you to the "How to root the S7 EDGE" thread.
I'd take a look in there if I were you.

Binary100100 said:
Of course we can get your started but see
But first you must answer us these question three.
Why do you want root?
Do you have a computer? (This is a must for root.)
Are you ready to be disappointed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well while I was waiting I just rooted it. So what do you think that would be the next step towards installing a rom? To answer your survey questions :laugh: :
1- Because a phone without being rooted is like a bird without wins.
2- I do
3- Oh well... tell me more

Arturofm2 said:
Well while I was waiting I just rooted it. So what do you think that would be the next step towards installing a rom? To answer your survey questions :laugh: :
1- Because a phone without being rooted is like a bird without wins.
2- I do
3- Oh well... tell me more
EDIT: I just checked and the root didn't go through... even though ODIN said it was successful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then.
Rooting the phone (as I'm sure you had already found out) was fairly easy.
BUT... since we do not have an unlocked bootloader then we cannot have any custom recovery. Which means we can only (for now) use adb and Fireflash to flash any custom firmwares. And while we're on the subject of that... there is only one custom rom. Well... technically there are two but only one for you since you updated to the latest firmware.
Echoe ROM which was updated (ummm...) September 9th (not including the Verizon version which might work but with no promises)
Tekxv2 which was updated back in July. Unfortunately, that is flashed by adb (computer required) and only supports G935TUVS3APD8 which is... pretty old.
Things that you may notice with root.
Battery life may be shorter.
Strange icons on your status bar.
Might start to have random reboots for absolutely no reason.
Can't use Samsung Pay and some other apps.
Phone might be laggy.
Phone might feel hot.
Some of those can be resolved by flashing the only custom rom that we have (Echoe ROM... which is a rather nice rom) but it's not "there" yet.
Or you can use the guide in my signature to resolve issues like the lag and the strange icons. Yet even after the "fix" you might still experience both again from time to time.
You might even have the IMS force close issue which I used to get about once a month. It would piss me off because no sooner that you click the button, it'll pop up again and you don't have time to do anything. You're pretty much forced to reflash stock, wipe, re-root, restore a latest backup... which can take hours and is rather inconvenient if it happens to you while you're at work like it always seemed to happen for me.
SO...
All in all... root is okay. It's better than nothing I suppose. But until we get more developer support for this phone then in my opinion it's kinda pointless in my opinion.
Too many drawbacks. I eventually unrooted two weeks ago and I love my phone now. I'm using the heck out of Samsung Pay especially since their promotions are pretty nice right now! Plus a few members are testing the Nouget update which probably won't be getting root at all since rooting requires an engineering kernel which we don't have and might not get. Or an unlocked bootloader which we've pretty much given up on.
A lot of members that are testing the Nouget beta firmware are extremely satisfied with it so if we can't root Nouget then having a rooted S7 will probably fade away as more people update to Android 7+. That's where I see this going anyway.

Binary100100 said:
What you wrote above
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So for what I understood the dev support for this phone is very limited... I know the issues I may encounter, I had them with the galaxy note. but any way... If something I'll unroot it but I want to try it out Thank for you time. I've rooted it.
EDIT: Damn... I really don't like the visual style of Echoe... is that one the only one I can flash??

Binary100100 said:
Well then.
Rooting the phone (as I'm sure you had already found out) was fairly easy.
BUT... since we do not have an unlocked bootloader then we cannot have any custom recovery. Which means we can only (for now) use adb and Fireflash to flash any custom firmwares. And while we're on the subject of that... there is only one custom rom. Well... technically there are two but only one for you since you updated to the latest firmware.
Echoe ROM which was updated (ummm...) September 9th (not including the Verizon version which might work but with no promises)
Tekxv2 which was updated back in July. Unfortunately, that is flashed by adb (computer required) and only supports G935TUVS3APD8 which is... pretty old.
Things that you may notice with root.
Battery life may be shorter.
Strange icons on your status bar.
Might start to have random reboots for absolutely no reason.
Can't use Samsung Pay and some other apps.
Phone might be laggy.
Phone might feel hot.
Some of those can be resolved by flashing the only custom rom that we have (Echoe ROM... which is a rather nice rom) but it's not "there" yet.
Or you can use the guide in my signature to resolve issues like the lag and the strange icons. Yet even after the "fix" you might still experience both again from time to time.
You might even have the IMS force close issue which I used to get about once a month. It would piss me off because no sooner that you click the button, it'll pop up again and you don't have time to do anything. You're pretty much forced to reflash stock, wipe, re-root, restore a latest backup... which can take hours and is rather inconvenient if it happens to you while you're at work like it always seemed to happen for me.
SO...
All in all... root is okay. It's better than nothing I suppose. But until we get more developer support for this phone then in my opinion it's kinda pointless in my opinion.
Too many drawbacks. I eventually unrooted two weeks ago and I love my phone now. I'm using the heck out of Samsung Pay especially since their promotions are pretty nice right now! Plus a few members are testing the Nouget update which probably won't be getting root at all since rooting requires an engineering kernel which we don't have and might not get. Or an unlocked bootloader which we've pretty much given up on.
A lot of members that are testing the Nouget beta firmware are extremely satisfied with it so if we can't root Nouget then having a rooted S7 will probably fade away as more people update to Android 7+. That's where I see this going anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you doing with the ads? Like youtube, pandora, spotify? I just installed xposed and the phone feels very hot, and If I unroot it (which I'm thinking to do) I won't be able to get things without ads (I know about vpns and browsers). Also how can I install teaks for apps? Installing apks from pages that promise you this and you have to log in is very untruthful. Any suggestions to all this?

Arturofm2 said:
How are you doing with the ads? Like youtube, pandora, spotify? I just installed xposed and the phone feels very hot, and If I unroot it (which I'm thinking to do) I won't be able to get things without ads (I know about vpns and browsers). Also how can I install teaks for apps? Installing apks from pages that promise you this and you have to log in is very untruthful. Any suggestions to all this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just put up with them.
In all reality, I don't use my phone for the purposes that require my viewing of ads to begin with.
Sure when I was rooted I had adblocker. But honestly, I had completely forgotten all about that benefit of being rooted until now.
I suppose if you absolutely need to be rid of ads then by all means, retain root. However ads don't effect my daily use one bit.

Binary100100 said:
I just put up with them.
In all reality, I don't use my phone for the purposes that require my viewing of ads to begin with.
Sure when I was rooted I had adblocker. But honestly, I had completely forgotten all about that benefit of being rooted until now.
I suppose if you absolutely need to be rid of ads then by all means, retain root. However ads don't effect my daily use one bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you help me unroot it? I was following a guide here to unroot it and downloaded the firmware but when I click flash, it didn't work, I'm having travel reverting it, can you help me? The model is: SM-G935T

Arturofm2 said:
Could you help me unroot it? I was following a guide here to unroot it and downloaded the firmware but when I click flash, it didn't work, I'm having travel reverting it, can you help me? The model is: SM-G935T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flash the appropriate firmware that you had prior to rooting with ODIN.
Never had any issues. Which "guide" are you referring to?

Binary100100 said:
I just flash the appropriate firmware that you had prior to rooting with ODIN.
Never had any issues. Which "guide" are you referring to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bro now I'm friking out, I followed this guide and when I click in flash it says Fail. I followed it step by step, I don't don't what's going on and when I reset the phone it says custom and doesn't even load, so tmobil would know that I rooted it...
fff.... can you give me the link, guide, whatever you used to revert it?

Arturofm2 said:
bro now I'm friking out, I followed this guide and when I click in flash it says Fail. I followed it step by step, I don't don't what's going on and when I reset the phone it says custom and doesn't even load, so tmobil would know that I rooted it...
fff.... can you give me the link, guide, whatever you used to revert it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably trying to flash a firmware with a V3 bootloader over G935TTMB4APK1.
If you were seriously following that (outdated) guide step by step then you tried flashing TMB_G935TUVU3APG1.zip over a PK1 firmware. Yeah... that doesn't work.
Download the latest firmware from sammmobile.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G935T/
Try it again.
IF that doesn't work... try using Smart Switch.
I haven't done it before but I think it's the Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.

forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/odin-apk1-tmobile-tmbg935ttmb4apk1-t3494724
Odin this to return to stock firmware.

Binary100100 said:
You're probably trying to flash a firmware with a V3 bootloader over G935TTMB4APK1.
If you were seriously following that (outdated) guide step by step then you tried flashing TMB_G935TUVU3APG1.zip over a PK1 firmware. Yeah... that doesn't work.
Download the latest firmware from sammobile.
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G935T/
Try it again.
IF that doesn't work... try using Smart Switch.
I haven't done it before but I think it's the Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have no idea the help you gave me. I went to sammobil before but since it said that the download speed was too slow, I didn't do it through that page. Now I did it and it's working fine thanks bro.
But when I start it, it says: custom in the log in, how can I totally put it original?

tduquefjc said:
forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/how-to/odin-apk1-tmobile-tmbg935ttmb4apk1-t3494724
Odin this to return to stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I want to remove everything and just leave it plain how it comes from factory when you buy it, do I just flash the AP file?

Arturofm2 said:
You have no idea the help you gave me. I went to sammobil before but since it said that the download speed was too slow, I kept it. Now I did it and it's working fine thanks bro.
But when I start it, it says: custom in the log in, how can I totally put it original?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arturofm2 said:
If I want to remove everything and just leave it plain how it comes from factory when you buy it, do I just flash the AP file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should flash everything.
BL= Bootloader (which should be V4 since you updated to the latest firmware already. Anything less than V4 will fail.)
AP= Is for System, Cache, kernel, etc.
CP= Is for modems
CSC is for your HOME_CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 file.
Important! If you use the CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 (doesn't have the word "HOME" in the name) then it'll wipe your phone!
If your phone still says "CUSTOM" on it then make sure that reboot and check again. If it still says custom then make sure that you don't still have the engineering kernel. Re-flash the AP files again if so. It shouldn't though if it's 100% stock. Also note if you saw the unlocked padlock on the S7 Edge splash screen (before the bootanimation).
Good luck and happy New Year.

Binary100100 said:
You should flash everything.
BL= Bootloader (which should be V4 since you updated to the latest firmware already. Anything less than V4 will fail.)
AP= Is for System, Cache, kernel, etc.
CP= Is for modems
CSC is for your HOME_CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 file.
Important! If you use the CSC_TMB_G935TTMB4APK1_CL9507190_QB11413830_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 (doesn't have the word "HOME" in the name) then it'll wipe your phone!
If your phone still says "CUSTOM" on it then make sure that reboot and check again. If it still says custom then make sure that you don't still have the engineering kernel. Re-flash the AP files again if so. It shouldn't though if it's 100% stock. Also note if you saw the unlocked padlock on the S7 Edge splash screen (before the bootanimation).
Good luck and happy New Year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect! All I did was reboot it, and the unlocked padlock went away, thank you very much for all your help! Happy new year!

To root or to not root?

Hi everyone,
I've been using my OP5 for the past year and now I've exhausted my full 64Gb of storage. Was planning to backup my data onto my laptop and start afresh but I thought it is time to root. I've rooted pretty much every phone I've had in the past for some or the other reason like increasing battery life, overclocking, debloated roms for more storage etc. etc.
I have been technologically dead for the past 2 years so I'm kind of lost right now and in confusion on as to whether to root or not? What would be the main advantages I'd be getting if I root. My phone is still blazing fast, has amazing battery life and OOS is really smooth.
Just in a lot of confusion and want to find more reasons to root.

If you have to ask, you don't need it.

If you root your phone you'll be able to actually use your phone. The only disadvantage to rooting your phone that I see would be that whenever I see a new rom, I want to flash it. I've never understood why somebody would not want to root their phone. Maybe warranty? But then again, I think there are ways around that?

Rickyloc said:
The only disadvantage to rooting your phone that I see would be that whenever I see a new rom, I want to flash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This! +1

Dirk said:
If you have to ask, you don't need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should have seen a reply like this coming my way. Buddy, I've rooted every other phone I've had in the past. Either for updates, better battery life, smoother ram management and so on.. The only thing I couldn't understand is this phone isn't lacking in any of the above mentioned points including updates **touch wood** so wanted to understand others thought process on the advantages cause I am unaware of all the cool mods you can do at the moment, if there are any.

Rickyloc said:
If you root your phone you'll be able to actually use your phone. The only disadvantage to rooting your phone that I see would be that whenever I see a new rom, I want to flash it. I've never understood why somebody would not want to root their phone. Maybe warranty? But then again, I think there are ways around that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, this was helpful.. I don't see why i shouldn't root it too. I'll probably be rooting too. Which Rom would you suggest for stability and everyday usage with some good extra additional functionality?

Kunal5894 said:
Thank you, this was helpful.. I don't see why i shouldn't root it too. I'll probably be rooting too. Which Rom would you suggest for stability and everyday usage with some good extra additional functionality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My favorite rom is Codename Phoenix. It's fast and it's not on XDA, which is probably why I like it. It's got a lot of features. If there is a feature a rom doesn't have you can always get Xposed or something to enable.
But the main reason for rooting my phone is so that I can use gcam properly. I love Photoshop and gcam offers the best photos. In my opinion, far better than stock or any other.

There's an option just to flash a custom ROM and leave it unrooted ?
I can recommend Resurrection Remix unofficial. Simply followed the steps with unlocking the bootloader and gaining root on stock ROM, then flashed a custom ROM without rooting it.
If you thought battery life was great with stock OOS you're going to be pretty surprised with battery at Resurrection Remix and Flash Kernel ?

Kunal5894 said:
Thank you, this was helpful.. I don't see why i shouldn't root it too. I'll probably be rooting too. Which Rom would you suggest for stability and everyday usage with some good extra additional functionality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best combination of stability and improved battery life is between the stock stable OxygenOS paired with the latest Franco kernel. I have tried pretty much all of the custom ROMs but every time the battery life of my phone was getting worse (compared to fully stock) until I tried stock OOS with Franco Kernel. But I have to say that I only have rooted my phone to use the Franco Kernel Manager and I do not have any add-ons into Magisk. Root + Franco and everything else is stock. I am not flashing new roms/kernels like crazy and really often, because the stable OOS is getting released once in two or even three months. Franco's kernel is being updated, hm, let's say once in a month or two months. So 99% of the time you are going to use your phone without flashing anything new.